Best Pruning Saws to Take Out Branches by Hand

improvedyard.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

When it comes time to perform some pruning chores where a hand pruner is just too small to be of much use, you can always opt for using a pruning saw. Now here’s where things can get a little complicated. Why? Because pruning saws come in so many different sizes and shapes. If you’ve never used one before it can be bewildering. Well, that’s what we’re here for, to help you make the best decision possible on what pruning saw will be best suited for the job you have in mind.

IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…

Last update on 2024-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

That’s why we’re going to review some of the best pruning saws available, and why we’ve gone even further and written a buying guide so that you will be able to select the best pruning saw for your tasks like a pro.

Corona RS 7245 Razor Tooth Folding Saw, 7-Inch Curved Blade

Sale
Corona 7 Inch RS 7245 Razor Tooth Folding Saw, 7-Inch Curved Blade, Steel
  • 7” blade Ideal for cutting up to 3” diameter branches
  • Ergonomically designed co-molded handle covers blade in folded position; with pistol grip to mitigate hand slippage on handle
  • Easy to latch blade lock prevents injury
  • Blade made of High Carbon Japanese SK5 steel with exceptional hardness and durability for a long-lasting tool
  • Blades with up to 6 teeth per inch adds greater opportunities to cut wood limbs on cross-cut

Last update on 2024-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This professional-style folding razor tooth saw is created to slice effortlessly through small or medium size branches. The Corona RS 7245 Razor Tooth Saw folds so that it can be transported safely and stored easily. A great feature when camping out.

The special curved blade, razor tooth design makes cleaner and swifter cuts than traditional saws for better plant health and less effort expended. The self-cleaning chrome blade is both corrosion-resistant and replaceable so the saw has a long term life expectancy. Furthermore, the razor teeth are three-sided for greater efficiency and impulse-hardened for super endurance and strength. This saw will keep its sharpness even after many cuts

The co-molded ergonomic handle is designed for added comfort and it’s extra light, making this saw the perfect option for personal or professional use. Each tooth is triple ground for maximize cutting efficiency.

Excellent for cutting firewood when camping out. Can also be used for cutting tree roots. Locks while open and while closed.


Corona Razor Tooth Pruning Saw, 13 Inch Curved Blade, RS 7120, Red

Corona Tools 13-Inch RazorTOOTH Pruning Saw | Tree Saw Designed for Single-Hand Use | Curved Blade...
  • IDEAL FOR LARGE BRANCHES: 13 inch blade ideal for cutting 7 inch diameter branches
  • INNOVATIVE ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Pistol grip and finger hook provides efficiencies for Professional Arborists
  • 3 SIDED RAZOR TEETH FOR EFFICIENT CUTTING: Triple ground teeth cut more material at greater angles per saw pass
  • LONG SERVICE LIFE: Impulse-hardened teeth extend durability of the saw sharpness
  • HIGH-CARBON STEEL BLADE: Made of Japanese SK5 steel with exceptional hardness and durability for a long-lasting tool

Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Corona Razor Tooth Pruning Saw, 13 inch Curved Blade is made with swifter and cleaner cutting in mind. The curved blade allows for more teeth to get into the branch making for faster cutting. The blade is made of a tempered steel alloy so there’s less friction and it resists rusting. The pistol-grip handle with custion covering is made for ultimate comfort and helps you to maintain control even if you have arthritis or other difficulty using your hands.

A great pruning saw that can withstand the rigors of constantly being outdoors, but won’t wear the user down requiring unnecessary effort to do most of the cutting of large or medium branches. Made to be long lasting and powerful with razor teeth that are sharpened on 3 sides.


Corona RS 7510D Razor TOOTH Pruning Curved Blade Trimming Saw, 18″

Sale
Corona Tools 18-Inch RazorTOOTH Pruning Saw | Heavy-Duty Hand Saw with Curved Blade | D-Handle...
  • REMOVES 2X MORE MATERIAL: RazorTOOTH saw technology; 18” blade is ideal for cutting branches up to 9-10” in diameter
  • MAXIMUM SHARPNESS: Each tooth is triple-ground, providing multi-faceted angles to maximize efficiency of cuts and removal of wood
  • UNBEATABLE STRENGTH: High carbon Japanese SK5 steel blade provides exceptional hardness
  • EXTREME DURABILITY: Impulse-hardened teeth and a heat-treated blade make it last season after season
  • SMOOTH ACTION: Chrome finish coat provides Smooth cutting action and blade resilience

Last update on 2024-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is the perfect saw for cutting tree branches that are denser than what a typical pruning saw can deal with. The Corona RS 7510D Razor Tooth Pruning Saw also has an ergonomic co-molded handle with a pistol grip that makes it very comfortable to use. Impulse-hardened teeth give the ultimate in sharpness. Created to remove 2x more material in one stroke than hand saws with ordinary blades.

Saves time and energy with improved performance, and the patented ergonomic, non-slip handle saves wear and tear on your hands. Everything about this saw is made with the idea of making the job of trimming a tree as easy as possible. You should finish up quickly and without feeling exhausted.


Silky GomBoy Professional Folding Saw 240mm Medium Teeth

Silky ZUBAT Arborist Professional Hand Saw 330mm XL Teeth (722-33)
  • Silky’s Professional Series Zubat Arborist edition
  • 13-inch (330mm) blade length, 1.5mm blade thickness, 4.7 teeth per inch (5.5 teeth per 30mm) X-Large teeth configuration, Cut capacity 6.5"
  • Full tang blade made with proprietary Japanese steel & metal screws for secure attachment
  • 0.65 lbs. operating weight with sheath included
  • Product applications include pruning & trimming, lawn & garden. WARNING: Beware of thinner, non-Professional blades that are made for the...

Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Multi-purpose saw with 9-1/2 inch blade and a dream-like cutting action, the GomBoy Professional Folding Saw has justifiably earned its renown for being the best folding saw available. Both gardeners and woodworkers rave about this saw. Plus, to enhance your feelings of safety and comfort, the handle is rubber-padded and there’s a spring-loaded blade lock. All this and it comes with its own carrying case too.

Many have hailed this saw as their favorite. The quality and efficiency of this product will impress you, and you’ll be shocked at just how much effort you save by allowing the saw to do its job and not applying a lot of extra pressure. This saw was created to make your life easier, and it’s relatively inexpensive too.


Samurai Ichiban 13″ Curved Pruning Saw With Scabbard

Sale
Samurai Ichiban 13" (330mm) Curved Pruning Saw w/Scabbard
  • Our #1 selling saw for the Arborist and Landscape trades
  • 13-inch (330mm) blade length, taper ground surface with impulse tooth hardening
  • 6.5 teeth per inch (7.5 teeth per 30mm) teeth configuration
  • 0.8 pounds operating weight
  • Comes complete with scabbard for safe storage and transport

Last update on 2024-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The word “Ichiban” translates to “Number 1″, and the Samuari Ichiban 13” Curved Pruning Saw certainly lives up to the hype. It has the ultimate in blade and handle technology, plus a precision toothing that gives you an aggressive cut. Not only does it make for the most effortless cutting you have ever experienced, but it’s also great at cutting up branches for easy disposal.

You actually will enjoy using this saw so much that you will start looking around for more things to trim. Furthermore, it comes with a hard plastic scabbard for convenient storage. Many people have said that this saw tops their pole saws for quality. This is one saw that is going to be around a long time, and will have lots of people buying it because of its durability, strength, and ease of use. It’s been designed with care and thought like all pruning saws should be.


Folding Hand Saw Wood Saw Multi-Purpose 8″ Triple Cut Carbon Steel Blade

EverSaw Folding Hand Saw Camp Saw 8" Folding Saw - Pruning Saws for Tree Trimming Garden Saw –...
  • Premium Quality - EverSaw Folding Saw is a rugged pull cut hand saw built to last with an adjustable medium-tooth 8 inch SK5 carbon steel blade....
  • Pull Cut Design - Triple-cut razor teeth of your hand held saw are made for pull cut sawing with 9 teeth per inch (9TPI) to provide smooth fast...
  • Multipurpose - From everyday yard work to hiking and bushcraft in the great outdoors our folding handsaw is up to the task. You can use our...
  • Safe and Secure Blade Lock - Your safety is our top priority with your small saw so our blade is specially designed with a stronger dependable...
  • Lifetime Guarantee - At Home Planet Gear we stand by our products and offer a full replacement warranty if you experience any issues with your...

Last update on 2024-05-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Home Planet Gear, the manufacturers of the Folding Hand Saw Wood Saw 8″ Triple Cut used only premium materials that won’t break or even bend. This amazingly tough and resilient pull cut hand saw is to powerful that it can slice right through wood, plastic, and even bone up to 4″ in diameter, so that cutting will never seem like a chore again.

Designed for multiple use, this astonishing saw can be used for an array of projects, from a backpacking saw, winter pruning saw, to a camping saw readily available to cut up firewood. Uniquely made with a stronger, reliable gear lock to keep the open blade securely in place, this saw has a blade that will fit completely into the handle, so when it’s closed there are no teeth exposed. You need have no worries when carrying it. Extremely durable, excellently functioning, saw worth the investment.


Heavy Duty Pruning Saw (Razor Sharp 14″ Curved Blade)

Heavy Duty Pruning Saw (Razor Sharp 14" Curved Blade) Comfort Handle with Saw Blade Enclosure -...
  • Razor Tooth 7TPI Curved Blade - Curve Styling Makes Cutting & Trimming Effortless!
  • Cuts Branches Up To 8 Inches Thick - Incredibly Strong & Versatile, Can easily cut through branches/limbs up to 8 Inches Thick!
  • Ergonomical Cushioned Handle - Pistol Style Grip Gives You a Comfortable Sturdy Feel While Cutting/Sawing. Convenient Hanging Hole for Storage!
  • Perfect For Pruning Landscape - Including Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Branches/Limbs, and So Much More!

Last update on 2024-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The curved design is great and makes cutting and trimming feel like the saw is practically working on its own. The Heavy Duty Pruning Saw by Tavol effortlessly slices through branches as thick as 8 inches, while the Ergonomical cushioned handle has a pistol style grip that enables you to hold the saw in comfort. Doing the hard work of pruning your shrubs or trees will be incredibly easier with this pruning saw.

Makes the taxing work of cutting branches so easy you feel like you can go on forever. Comes with a 100% manufacturer money back guarantee. Tarvol guarantees all of its tools and products for life because it knows how long lasting and enduring they are.


DocaPole 5-12 Foot Pole Pruning Saw

DOCAZOO DocaPole 24' and GoSaw
  • 2X Strength Tree Saw with Pole For Branches Less than 2" in Diameter: This telescoping tree pruner pole saw is designed for pruning and is our...
  • Thumb Lever Clasps to Maintain Reach: Extend to needed length for branch, then tighten screws with screwdriver to prevent pole slippage. Screws...
  • High Reach Tree Pruning Tools: Plenty of trimming reach so you never need a ladder again. For best results and to reduce flex, always extend and...
  • Let The Saw Do The Work: Focus on back and forth cutting motions with the pole pruner and to minimize bend. High-quality aluminum telescoping...
  • Razor Sharp 13 Inch Bi-Directional Blade With 3X Tooth Design: Our Dual-use saws can be used as pole saws for trimming or as hand-held for low...

Last update on 2024-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Doca Pole 5-12 Foot Pole Pruning Saw is the perfect manual pruning saw. You can either use it on the attachable pole or by hand, it doesn’t matter because it’s going to take care of the job swiftly and easily. The extension pole will telescope from 5 to 12 feet and the saw supplies yet another foot and a half of length. The 13″ blade gives a sharp bi-directional cut that slides through wood.

Fear of heights? Don’t worry. With this pole saw you can keep your feet planted firmly on the ground and still manage to do what’s necessary. Eliminates the need for a ladder, and the rubber handle grips help you to maintain a tight grasp so you don’t need to worry about your hands slipping. Plus, once you’re finished with the job, it comes with a nail hook so you can easily hang it for storage.


Buying Guide for Best Pruning Saws

Types of Pruning Saws

Before you begin shopping for the best pruning saw, the first thing you need to understand is that there are various types. These will perform their job under the correct circumstances. You must buy the type of pruning saw that will fit the purpose you have in mind for it. There are four basic options: the handheld pruning saw, straight blade pruning saw, curved blade, and pole pruning saws.

Handheld Pruning Saw

Out of the four types mentioned above, the handheld pruning saw is the type most people are familiar with. Usually, homeowners will utilize this saw for both pruning indoors and outdoors

This is a small pruning saw that has a straight or slightly curved blade. It is capable of cutting thick branches, but will work the best with thin or small ones.

Handheld pruning saws are very adaptable and they can come in handy for both trees and flowers.

Actually, for the average homeowner, it’s the only pruning saw you need for getting rid of low hanging tree branches and various other needs. Since most of these saws are made in a folding design, or have a scabbard, they are easy to store.

Straight Blade Pruning Saw

Just like the name says, these pruning saws are made with a straight blade, but the handles are curved. They work the best cutting through sap and green wood. Now we all know what a sticky problem this can be. You can easily find yourself just rubbing off pieces of wood and getting more and more frustrated. A straight blade pruning saw will eliminate all of that and do the job with finesse.

One of the most notable traits of this saw is that the curved handle appears similar to a pistol grip and is also very comfortable. So you can do your sawing with a bit of flair as well as keep your hands from aching.

Curved Blade Saw

With this type of pruning saw, you have a curved blade that adds power to the saw. The slightly curved blade makes this the right saw to use for swiftly cutting through any thick tree branches.

You have two options with this make of pruning saw. You can choose a curved blade that has fine teeth, which can prove to be very useful for your small garden or even in nurseries, of a blade with coarse teeth designed for heavy duty cutting.

Curved blade saws will work fine for small and large branches, but they can be a little difficult to handle when you’re learning how to use them on the bigger branches.

Pole Pruning Saw

Pole saws are excellent for cutting high and difficult to reach branches. They have a long pole with a blade at the end.

If you want the best type of pole pruning saw, choose one that has a tilting or rotating blade that lets the blade stay at an angle.

Because of their length, these saws have less cutting power. But they make up for this problem by having an extremely powerful jaw that takes less energy to make a cut.

Blade Length

One of the first things to think about when purchasing a pruning saw is blade length. The longer the blade, the more reach you will achieve. Plus, longer blades have a larger cutting ability and they are less apt to slip out while you are cutting.

Longer pruning saw blades also provide longer strokes, which cause smoother cutting and make for a more ergonimic saw.

Shorter blades are less costly, easier to handle, and don’t take up much space, so that they are easier to store as well.

The average pruning saw will have blades from between 5 and 20 inches long, and the size you choose should be according to the purpose you need it for.

Handles and Grips

The handle is an essential part because that is where you will hold the tool. How big the handle and the quality with which it was made will affect the ability of the pruning saw to perform certain tasks, because it is impossible to cut properly and efficiently if the handle is uncomfortable for you.

Handles can be made of a variety of materials from wood and rubber, to plastic. Just be certain that the handle is big enough to fit your hand properly, is non-slip, and is able to withstand the force that is generated by sawing branches.

Some saws, such as the bow saw, have you grip the metal tube or wood frame and blade-tensioning arm together. There are some more modern versions now that have an additional handle grip located on the side.

Folding hand saws and non-folding are usually made to be used with one hand and have a “hook” at the end of the handle so that your hand won’t slip off the saw while you are using it.

Certain saws still have wooden grips.

If you are using a pole saw, the grip will be either a fiberglass tube or a round wooden shaft.

In the case of non-slip grips, they help keep your hand from slipping and provide you with better control over the saw. They come in many materials, from rubber, silicon-based, grooves that are molded into the handles, or just plain plastic-like contoured grips.

Cutting Teeth Geometry

Don’t make the mistake of not paying enough attention to the teeth on the blade of the saw, because they are going to be doing the cutting and will have to be able to handle the materials you want sawed down.

There are two essential things to keep in mind. These are tooth per inch (TPI) and the size. The two have to work together harmoniously because it is the size of the teeth that determines the TPI.

Basically, teeth size can be placed in four categories. Fine, medium, large, and extra-large teeth.

Teeth geometry is crucial if you want a clean and swift cut and a non-binding blade. Usually, today’s saws come with what is called a triple ground tooth. Not only does this make them superbly sharp, but it lessens the cutting time by one half, as when likened to saws with a double ground tooth.

Conditional on the geometry of the cutting teeth, the saw will only cut on the pull stroke, only the push stroke, or in both directions.

Durability

Since you might find yourself using your pruning saw quite a lot if you have many plants and trees around your home, it is wise to purchase something that has endurance.

When considering durability the blade material is the most important thing to take into account. Tough materials like tempered steel and high carbon Japanese steel are excellent choices.

Don’t forget about the durability of the handle either. No matter what type of handle you opt for, be certain that the material is top-notch and the handle is constructed to be sturdy.

Weight

How heavy the saw is will affect both the ease of handling and cutting. The thickness of the branches you will cut decide what is the right saw weight for you. Remember that too light is just as bad as too heavy.

It is best to use a heavy-duty saw when cutting thicker and stronger branches because the weight of the saw will help to drive the blade deep into the wood. But, you need to be certain that you can handle the weight of any pruning saw that you purchase. It can be quite an uncomfortable experience having to balance a saw that is much too heavy for you, and, in the end, you might end up giving up and leaving the task unfinished.

Blade Material Types

Today blades are normally made from high carbon steel. Carbon serves to make steel hard. Thus, the more carbon there is in the steel, the harder it will be. Hard carbon steel is the material that makers of pruning saws use in their folding pruning saw blades because of its hardness and the fact that it remains sharp for quite some time.

This steel is hardened so that it will remain sharp longer by one of two methods.

Quench Hardening

This is a process where the saw blade steel is heated to an extremely high temperature and then dipped into a oil or water bath until it cools down.

Impulse Hardening

This is a complicated process that consists of heating and cooling the blade at extremely precise intervals, (within thousandths of a second), that’s how exacting this method is, utilizing impact energy made by high-frequency currents.” While this may seem like a lot of trouble to go through, the result is that the teeth of the blade are 3x harder than those where quench hardening is used. That means they last 3x longer, but this is a process that you will pay top dollar for.

It’s worth noting that high carbon steel is liable to rust when exposed to any type of moisture, so some type of plating or coating is necessary. That’s if you don’t want to have to worry about replacing your blade frequently.

Chrome plating will wear off over time, most chiefly around the teeth. Watch for this when maintaining your saw because high carbon steel without chrome plating or a blade coating will rust.

When you notice that the blade of your saw is beginning to lose its chrome plating, apply a light coating of lubricant along the blade and teeth. That way your saw will remain rust free. It’s an inexpensive way of caring for your saw that not that many people are aware of.

Clean Cuts

A “clean” cut doesn’t leave behind any jagged edges or torn bark when you are pruning a live tree or shrub. The condition of a cut is ordinarily due to the caliber and geometry of the saw’s cutting teeth.

If correctly done, a clean cut will “callus” over better than a jagged one. Clean cuts are better for the well-being and hardiness of a plant when it needs to heal the area where the branch was removed.

Blade Sharpening

The big question is can saw teeth be sharpened? The answer is yes, but don’t try to do it yourself. The odds of managing to correctly sharpen a blade yourself are extremely slim, and you need to keep in mind that one mistake will destroy the blade. Better to skip the aggravation and simply buy a new blade when you find that you need one.

Replacement Blades

Nowadays, it’s rare for manufacturers to offer replacement blades for folding or fixed pruning saws. If they do, the blade is usually so expensive that for only a little more you can buy an entire new saw.

The one exception to this unwritten rule is pole saw blades. It’s easy to come across replacement blades for these. You don’t have to replace the pole or blade retention head if you need a new blade either.

Locking Mechanisms

Essentially, there are three types of blade locking mechanisms. The push button, the thumb lever, and the swing lock.

Certain saws lock the blade in both the open and closed positions. Others only lock the blade when it’s in the open position. It’s really essential to have some type of locking mechanism on your saw to avoid accidental injury.

FAQ

Summary

A pruning saw is a must for any homeowner that has even several trees and plants around the house, as it will help you to maintain the plants and keep their appearance attractive.

Pruning saws come in an array of types and selecting the best one can be confusing. There is, however, one thing that all pruning saws have; they all feature metal blades with cutting teeth in them. After that, it’s a wide array of differences.

We’ve tried to cover everything you should know so that you can select the best pruning saw to meet your needs. By considering the above-mentioned factors such as blade type and length, tooth configuration, and handle, you should have an easier time getting the best pruning saw for your home and garden.